Developing precision canopy sprayers: Precision canopy and automatic sprayers are close at hand

摘要

The use of pesticides on fruit crops has long been a point of concern to the discerning consumer. Spraying machines applying pesticides have also given rise to concern as they frequently create drift, which reduces efficiency, affects off-target cropsand creates environmental pollution and operator contamination. The challenge for Cornell University engineers is to develop a precision canopy sprayer that is able to adjust both application rate and air volume to match the growing canopy as the season progresses. In essence, we are applying the old principles of tree row volume to the modern world of real time sensors using electronics.